Middle finger

Middle finger
Middle finger of the left hand
Details
ArteryProper palmar digital arteries,
dorsal digital arteries
VeinPalmar digital veins, dorsal digital veins
NerveDorsal digital nerves of radial nerve, proper palmar digital nerves of median nerve
Identifiers
LatinDigitus III manus, digitus medius manus, digitus tertius manus
TA98A01.1.00.055
TA2153
FMA24947
Anatomical terminology

The middle finger, long finger, or tall finger is the third digit of the human hand, located between the index finger and the ring finger. It is typically the longest digit. In anatomy, it is also called the third finger, digitus medius, digitus tertius or digitus III.

In Western countries, extending the middle finger (either by itself, or along with the index finger in the United Kingdom: see V sign) is an offensive and obscene gesture, widely recognized as a form of insult, due to its resemblance of an erect penis,[1][2] It is known, colloquially, as "flipping the bird",[3] "flipping (someone) off", or "giving (someone) the finger". Similarly, one may extend the middle, ring and pointer fingers to someone and say "read between the lines."

The middle finger is often used for finger snapping together with the thumb.

References

  1. ↑ "When did the middle finger become offensive?". BBC News.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ↑ "The shock index: is giving the finger still offensive?". The Guardian.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ Jason Joseph, Rick Joseph (2007). 101 Ways to Flip the Bird. Broadway Books. ISBN 978-0-7679-2681-2.
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